Residents of Bath are puzzled and concerned after the unexplained removal of the children’s play equipment at Hoops Play Park, located near Snow Hill. The play area, once a cherished spot for local children, appears to have been dismantled sometime in recent years without any public notice or explanation.
Joe Hector, 21, a Bath native with fond memories of the park, recalls spending much of his childhood there. “I used that park quite a bit growing up. I used to go hang out there with my mates,” he said. Upon returning to Bath, Joe was dismayed to find the play equipment missing.
Snow Hill, primarily a working-class neighborhood with about 300 properties, includes a significant amount of social housing and accommodations for people recovering from homelessness. Many residents live in apartments without access to private gardens, making communal outdoor spaces like Hoops Play Park especially important.
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Joe believes the play area serves as a vital green space for local families. “It’s in an area that doesn’t have the most access to green spaces,” he explains. Seeking clarity, he contacted Curo, the housing agency managing some Snow Hill properties, at the end of 2024. While his inquiry was forwarded to the estate manager, he has yet to receive any concrete answers despite several follow-ups.
While Joe hopes the playground can be restored, he emphasizes that even understanding why it was removed would be a step forward. “It would be a service to the local area really. It’s what the area deserves,” he said. “If the equipment has been taken away, there must be a reason for it.”
Curo has been approached for comment but has not provided a response at this time.